SAFD Programs

STUDIO ARTS for Dancers offers classes for every child at each stage of development from creative movement to pre-professional. With year-round programs and performance opportunities for every age, world-class summer intensives with guest teachers, and drop-in classes for adults, we offer something for everyone.

Under the direction of Artistic Director, Lisa Hall McKee, our school provides correct and technical instruction in every genre at every level while nurturing a passion, respect and love for dance regardless of a dancer's ambitions.

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24/25 Class Schedule

Children's Program

Ages 3-7

Children learn basic ballet and gross motor skills while developing a love of and excitement for ballet and movement play.

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Summer Programs

All Ages
All Levels

Summer programs for dancers of all ages and levels with SAFD faculty and guest teachers from around the country.

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Youth Program

Ages 8-13
Levels I-IV

Through ballet, modern, tap, and jazz classes, students develop strong movement awareness, musicality and technique.

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Master Classes

All Ages
All Levels

Master classes offer students and adults the opportunity to take one or several classes with guest teachers.

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Pre-Professional
Program

Ages 14-18
Levels V-Advanced

Classes including ballet, pointe, modern, Horton, tap, and jazz prepare dancers with advanced technical training.

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Open Adult Program

Ages 18+
All Levels

Open classes for adults from all backgrounds. Classes focus on technique and functional strength training.

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Dancer wearing a tutu on pointe in first arabesque on stage

Performance Opportunities

Each spring, students have the opportunity to perform in our Spring Concert at the historic Tennessee Theatre! With professional lighting, choreography, costumes, props, and full sets, the students receive a professional and memorable performance experience. With in-studio run throughs and in-theatre tech and dress rehearsals, the students prepare for the performance just as professional dancers would.

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Classes

Each program offers classes in some or all of the following techniques. STUDIO ARTS faculty are well-versed and highly experienced in each technique that they teach, giving our students a strong foundation of classical training in modern, ballet, Horton, tap, and jazz or inspiring a love for and appreciation of dance in our creative movement classes.

Ballet Classes

Ballet classes help dancers build a strong classical dance foundation. They focus on developing a solid ballet technique with emphasis on understanding correct body placement, proper use of turn out, and coordination of the upper
body and legs. Class begins with work at the barre to build strength and coordination, followed by center exercises, culminating in a grand allegro combination or variation.

Contemporary Dance Classes

Contemporary classes incorporate elements of classic modern dance with elements of improvisation and versatility. Characterized by freedom of movement and fluidity, this genre focuses on the dancer's release of the head and neck, connection to the floor, freedom of the pelvis and torso, covering large distances with few movements, and artistic expression throughout the whole body. Contemporary is generally performed barefooted and occasionally in socks.

Advanced Dance Classes for Teens in Knoxville

Horton Classes

The Horton Technique was developed by Lester Horton from the 1920s through the 1940s. The technique is dynamic and dramatic, develops both strength and flexibility, and works with an energy that is constantly in motion. The primary focus of many beginner-level Horton studies is creating length in the spine and hamstrings. There is also an emphasis throughout all levels on developing musicality and performance qualities. As students progress, exercises become longer and more complex.

Start your dance training today.

Enroll now.

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SAFD Programs

Children's Program

Summer Programs

Youth Program

Master Classes

Pre-Professional Program

Open Adult Program

Performance Opportunities

Classes

Start your dance training today.

Enroll now.

Pre-Professional
Program